FAO Front shoes, barefoot behind.

noblesteed

noblesteed

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Hi all,
Just wondering, for those of you who have horses with shoes only on front feet or whatever reason... DOes your farrier trim the hind feet when your horse is shod? Or do you get a trimmer to do the hinds?

My horse has been this way 2 years now and farrier always checks the hind feet and says they are fine and roadwork is keeping them trimmed... However after 7 weeks off the roads my horse's hind feet are concerning me. The toes are longer than I would like and the heels are lower than they were before the winter - horse had been on loan for several months too before he had 7 weeks off so I am just getting him fit and starting to work him properly again. Last time the farrier came he said they should be ok and he wasn't keen on trimming them, so he left them... But I am not sure if the farrier is just reluctant to trim them - as he says 'I'm not a trimmer'.
I would not wish to go behind his back by getting a second opinion from another farrier, so just wondered what other people do before I speak to him myself about the feet.
Would it be reasonable to ask him to trim them or do I really need a trimmer out? Other option is to put shoes back on... Before you ask NO he will not be barefoot all round.
 
...I find it odd that your farrier doesnt trim them?
Mine is shod up front and he takes a bit off and tidies up her backs every 6 weeks. Id be worried that he wasnt paying attention to them and id probably have a word. If he refuses id change farrier.
 
Why not just ask the farrier to trim the hinds? You're the customer. You could ask him to shorten the toe a bit, and point out the under-run heels - you're not an idiot, he's not "in charge" of the horse; you are.
 
I find it totally peculiar that a farrier wouldn't trim them and would say he isn't a trimmer? How bizarre. If you're concerned about them then I would mention it to him so that he has the opportunity to sort them out. Otherwise I'd think about looking for another farrier if necessary.
 
Mine is only shod in front. Farrier checks the hinds each time he shoes but rarely trims, he says her roadwork keeps them in trim. We are discussing taking her fronts off but he will be looking after those as well.
 
Thanks guys! Yes he has a look and checks for me but like i said isn't keen to trim. When he comes in a couple of weeks I'll insist he has a thorough look and see to them if needed. I could always threaten to get a trimmer out - I'm sure he would sort them out then, apparently barefoot trimmers are spawn of satan (lol!)
 
Mine does the shoes in front and then has a tidy up with the rasp behind. She never *needs* a *trim* because she does a fair bit of roadwork and gets turn out.
 
perhaps he does genuinely think they are in good nick and don't need trimming and if the horse is sound thinks they are working for your horse as they are. I'd have a proper chat with him about it next time he comes and discuss the long toes etc with him then.
 
Mine tidies my horses back feet when she is shod in front only. He also shock horror trims all 4 feet when she is on holiday and not shod!
I would expect a farrier to trim a horses feet, and have neverheard anything so ridiculous as I'm not a trimmer from any farrier. I would say most farriers have horses on their books who are not shod.
 
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